Do you know how many kids want to grow up and become musicians? They might form little garage bands and some might even have some moderate success in and around the town or city in which they live. The dream of hitting it big and making music for a living is of course fueled by the antics and the seemingly endless funds received by those who are big in the business but there are other driving factors at work as well, some of which have been identified as being the reason for making music education such an integral part of a child’s schooling.

Granted, as you contemplate why music education in the classroom makes sense, the odds are good that you will not list the notion of turning your child into the next international rock star. Instead, look behind the façade of wishing to form a band that tours worldwide and learn what your child is really saying to you. She or he might year for the acceptance of a peer group that comes with the skill of playing an instrument of honing a singing voice.

At the same time, when you understand why music education is more than just fluff in the curriculum of your local school, you will also find that with music a child is able to influence the formation and growth of other areas of her or his brain as well. Mathematics, the understanding of rhyme and timing, self confidence, and simply the ability to derive joy from a skill that is unique to her or him are all available to an individual with simply a good music education. In light of these benefits it appears almost criminal to find music education on the chopping block as one of the first casualties of budget cuts and as a parent you will be well served to protect these classes as much as possible – you children will thank you!